If you enjoy taking hot showers or doing the dishes and laundry, you are probably grateful for your hot water heater. These devices are an essential part of the modern home, but they are often unsung heroes. Fortunately, energy specialists did not forget about the water heater. In fact, as with all great inventions, modern water has been greatly improved upon. There is even a tankless option available to homeowners, and it outshines its predecessor in many ways. Learn more about the tankless water heater and its benefits below.
What is the Purpose of a Water Heater?
As suggested by the name, a water heater’s job is to heat the water in your home. Whenever you turn your shower, sink or laundry on a hot water setting, the water heater is the device you can thank. Traditional water heaters work by storing water in the main tank that is typically made of steel. The water in the tank is then heated up using your home’s electricity or gas. When the water is hot, it is delivered to the various taps in your home via pipes that are attached to the top of the tank. Whatever water is not used is stored in the tank and reheated as needed.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
However, the process is a little different with tankless water heaters. Instead of heating a large amount of water and storing it in the tank until it is needed, water is heated before it reaches the intended destination. A heating unit is installed near sources of water such as faucets, appliances and taps, and water passes through it to be heated via electricity or gas. The hot water then reaches its destination. Most tankless systems can heat between 2-5 gallons of water every minute.
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
In homes that do not require a lot of heated water, tankless heaters can save homeowners significantly in energy costs. With some models, you could even see as many savings as $160 per year compared to a traditional water heater. Tankless water heaters are also environmentally friendly, as there is less water waste with a tankless system because individuals are not running the tap and waiting for the water to warm up. Energy consumption is also typically reduced between 24 and 34 percent in homes that use 41 gallons of water or less. In addition to saving money and being more energy-efficient, tankless water heaters allow homeowners access to a nearly endless hot water supply. In contrast with the batch heating of a traditional system, the on-demand method of heating reduces the chance that your hot water will ever run out. That means you no longer have to worry about racing family members to the shower to ensure you get warm water.
In short, tankless systems save energy, money and resources. Replacing your traditional system with a tankless water heater could be hugely beneficial, and you will not have to worry about running out of hot water! Contact SMO Energy today to speak with a specialist about your options for installing this system in your home. The company’s experts can also answer any questions you may have regarding installation, maintenance and energy savings.
Additionally, if you would like one of SMO’s technicians to come to your residence and conduct a free energy consultation, click the image below.